Coachman Caravans

Coachman’s first apprentices reach milestone.

22/05/2008

Robbie Cheeseman, Calum Smith and Alan Roberts - Production Director

Coachman Caravans’ first ever apprentices have completed the preliminary phase of their apprenticeship programme. The two apprentices, who joined Coachman in August 2007, have worked for a period of time in several departments of the Coachman factory. These departments include after sales, de-greasing, despatch, cab shop, furnishings, gas and electric, and the prep shop, where they have been taught the skills of the trade. The two apprentices are now set to embark on a further two years of training.

Robbie Cheeseman and Calum Smith, both 17 and from Hull, joined Coachman straight from school and started their apprenticeship by working with some of Coachman’s longest serving staff members. As part of the apprenticeship programme, the boys have also been attending a carpentry and joinery course at Hull College, to back up the valuable experience they are gaining and to provide them with a nationally recognised qualification.

The formal programme is designed to last three years in total and to give the apprentices a fully rounded knowledge of each department in the Coachman factory, by following a detailed programme of practical work.

Coachman’s apprenticeship programme is led by Alan Roberts, Production Director and Diane McDermid, Personnel Manager. This is the first apprenticeship programme of its kind at Coachman, and has proven to be so successful, that it will be continued in 2008 with the recruitment of two new apprentices, as Alan Roberts explains: “We are delighted with how successful the apprenticeship programme has gone so far. We have always felt it is important to develop and train our existing workforce, and we are proud of the in house skills we have at our disposal.”

Jim Hibbs, Managing Director of Coachman Caravans, continues: “We feel that by implementing this apprenticeship programme, we are investing in the future of Coachman by ensuring future generations acquire the skills and benefit from the experience of our current employees. We are proud of our Hull roots and insist on recruiting local people at all times. In the past four years, we have experienced continual growth and our output has increased by 20%, creating 23 new jobs for local people. Both Robbie and Calum are proving to be valuable additions to our team and I look forward to watching them develop their skills over the next two years.”

Each month, the apprentices attend a review meeting with their supervisors, to discuss their progress and ensure they are settling into their roles, as Diane McDermid, Personnel Manager, explains: “We are really pleased with Robbie and Calum’s progress. They have fitted in very well with other members of the Coachman team and it has been a pleasure to watch their confidence and abilities grow. I’m looking forward to welcoming our next two apprentices this summer, when Robbie and Calum will have the opportunity to pass on their knowledge and experiences.”

This year’s apprenticeship vacancies were advertised locally in January and Coachman received over 60 applicants. The new candidates will start in September, after visiting the factory in July with their parents, for an informal meet and greet with the Coachman team.

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